Greenhouse and Nursery is the number one commodity in the state of Oregon which includes the sales of fresh cut flowers. There are many different varieties of field flowers that are grown in the state of Oregon. The commercial flower industry is made up of 300 commercial growers with an earning of about $145 million worth of field cut flowers, potted flowers and bedding plants.
Cut flowers and the production of cut flowers have a history dating back before the 1600’s. At this time, gardeners would cut flowers from their gardens and bring them inside. It was in the 1600’s that cut flower production became an area of interest because of the development of greenhouses. The development of greenhouses began in the Netherlands. Greenhouses made their way to the United States when the European settlers relocated here. Greenhouse allow flowers to be grown in a temperature controlled environment. Cut flowers must be kept in cool temperatures in order to maintain their shelf life. Once air transportation and refrigerated trucks were developed, the process of the field cut flowers was a much more efficient process for both producers and consumers.
There are different species of peonies native to different parts of the world. The peonies grown in Oregon is known as the North American variety. This specific variety has large flowers that come in colors ranging from purple, pink, white, yellow and even red! The peony bloom period is only 7-10 days long. Peonies are one of the most common garden flowers in temperate regions such as Oregon.
Tulips are a unique flower because of the shape of their petals. Most flower petals bloom out and open, but tulips have a cupped shape petal and stay fairly closed up. A tulip’s leaves are long and parallel veined leaves. This is unique because most flower leaves are smaller and more round. Tulips can range in a variety of different colors ranging from red, orange, yellow, purple, pink and white.
Iris flowers come in a variety of different species. Of the species, 300 of them are native to the mild weather of the northern hemisphere. Iris plants like to grow in well drained soils. The Iris plant goes through two different seasons, the growing season and the dormant season. During the growing season, Iris plants need regular watering and during the dormant season there is no need for water.
Watch this very interesting and educational video about the life cycle of a flower from seed to plant!
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A large portion of the Cut Flower industry in Oregon is made up of smaller flower farmers and producers. Watch this video to see how smaller producers might harvest and package their flowers!
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Japanese Beetle is one of the most aggressive pest that effects plants such as field cut flowers. The Japanese Beetle originated from Oregon as early as 1916 and producers still have to manage and eliminate this pest to this day. There is a policy in place in Oregon that this beetle must be eradicated before the breeding stage of development.
This fungus produces small yellow, orange, brown or red spots on the leaves, flowers and bulbs of plants. This fungus appears during rainy and humid weather. The spots grow together and cause the plants to turn slimy and covered in mold. The field cut flowers that are the most susceptible are tulips, dahlias and gladioluses.
Powdery mildew is a fungus that attacks different parts of flowers. In roses, powdery mildew will cause the leaves, buds and stems to be covered with a white powdery mildew. This fungus gets worse when the weather conditions are warm and humid. One way to avoid this fungus from killing your flowers is to remove all of the dead flowers in the spring.
Mild temperature climate. A temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit is a temperate climate.
A period of time when the plant is not growing or taking any essential nutrients from the ground.
